MTSU’s annual lifesaving blood drive rivalry with Western Kentucky returns Sept. 25-27

Middle Tennessee State University’s campus and the surrounding community are again getting ready to roll up their sleeves for one of the biggest — and possibly the most critical — rivalry in the Blue Raider football season.

The annual 100 Miles of Hope Red Cross Blood Drive competition between MTSU and Western Kentucky University is set for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 25-27, at the gymnasium of the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center at 1848 Blue Raider Drive.

Alyssa Hawkins, a senior athletic training major, smiles while donating blood Feb. 10 in MTSU's Keathley University Center during the university's 2020 valentine blood drive. (MTSU photo by James Cessna) — Alyssa Hawkins of Columbia, Tenn., smiles while donating blood during a previous MTSU campus blood drive. Hawkins, who graduated cum laude from MTSU in May 2020, is wearing a T-shirt she received during the university’s 2019 blood drive competition with Western Kentucky University. MTSU is sponsoring its annual 100 Miles of Hope blood drive Sept. 25-27. ***(MTSU file photo by James Cessna)***

“The American Red Cross blood drive helps support Rutherford County and the MTSU initiative is one way to partner with the community and give back by collecting as many units of blood as we possibly can,” said Ray Wiley, MTSU True Blue Blood Drive chairman.

MTSU Campus Recreation will have 18 reserved parking spots available in front of their facility each day of the drive for on-campus and off-campus donors. A campus parking map is available at https://bit.ly/MTSUParking. Off-campus donors can also obtain a one-day permit at https://mtsu.edu/parking/visit.php or park free in the university’s Rutherford Boulevard Lot and ride the Raider Xpress shuttle to the KUC.

‘Huge impact in the lives of others’

Previously carrying the theme “Bleed Blue, Beat WKU,” the updated blood drive name is a play on the words of the rivalry between the football teams — dubbed “100 Miles of Hate” — which is the approximate distance between the Blue Raider campus in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the Hilltopper campus in Bowling Green, Kentucky. But the blood drive committee wanted to focus on the positive aspect of the event with the word “hope” instead of hate.

Ray Wiley, associate director of MTSU Campus Recreation and a longtime American Red Cross volunteer, listens as Red Cross employee Kenedra Baugh checks his vital signs before he donates blood during a previous 100 Miles of Hope blood drive. (MTSU file photo by James Cessna)

Whichever university garners the biggest number of donations wins the coveted challenge trophy to display.

In 2022, communities from MTSU and WKU gave over 830 units of blood combined. But the challenge trophy remained with MTSU after supporters donated 480 units to rival WKU’s 351 donated units.

Although MTSU’s 100 Miles of Hope blood drive committee aims to retain the trophy once again by topping WKU’s numbers, everyone wins in this competition.

“Giving blood is life saving and it makes a huge impact in the lives of others,” Wiley said. “And it’s a huge contribution that people make on the behalf of others.”

This year the collection goal is at least 400 units from MTSU donors.

Make an appointment if you can

Incentives for donors at the MTSU blood drive include $20 Amazon gift cards, a free Sports Clips haircut, a commemorative T-shirt, pizza, snacks and MTSU football game tickets.

Although walk-ins are welcome, donors are encouraged to make an appointment through redcrossblood.org. Search for the 37132 zip code and event date Sept. 25-27. Donors can also use the American Red Cross blood donor app or text “BLOODAPP” to 90999.

MTSU blood donors at the 2018 “Bleed Blue, Beat WKU” community blood drive Oct. 29-31 will receive one of the custom “Blood Battle” T-shirts as thanks for their life-saving gift. (MTSU photo) — ***Previous T-shirt design for the 100 Miles of Hope blood drive competition between Middle Tennessee State University and Western Kentucky University. This year’s event is Sept. 25-27. (File photo)***

“Making an appointment helps our staff prepare and plan ahead for the number of people coming in to give,” Wiley said.

Volunteers are also needed to work at the blood drive. Sign up here.

The blood drive remains a friendly competition between MTSU and WKU, Wiley assured. Both campuses will be collecting blood on the same days and times.

The drive will conclude the day before the Blue Raiders face off against the WKU Hilltoppers. Kickoff for the game is 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Floyd Stadium.

Blood drive in honor of dedicated staff volunteer

The 2023 100 Miles of Hope Red Cross Blood Drive will be in honor of the late Gina Fann, who passed away in August at age 60 after an extended illness.

An MTSU alumna, Fann was a member of the News and Media Relations team and served her alma mater as a communications specialist since 2004 and served many years on the university’s Blood Drive Committee leading promotion efforts before and after each year’s campaign.

“Gina was very dedicated to helping others and she demonstrated this by helping MTSU and the American Red Cross by serving as a valuable team member of the blood drive committee, of which she served since the inception of the drive in 2010,” Wiley said.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)